Keywords
Hydroponic; Modified Atmosphere storage; Postharvest; Cucumber; Watermelon
Abstract
The Hydroponic Modified Atmospheric Storage (HMAS) was based on water creating humidifying atmosphere and polyethylene seal of porosity 0.05mm to allow gaseous exchange. Oxo-chlorate solution was used to inhibit microbial adhesion and cohesion. Carbon dioxide, oxygen, respiratory quotient, temperature and Relative Humidity (RH) percentage concentration results in hydroponic modified atmospheric storage containing clean water on cucumber were Carbon dioxide (Co2 6-50%), oxygen (O2 20-21%), RQ (-2 to 0.3), Temperature (T, 32-40°c) and Relative Humidity (RH, 36-58%). While those on sodium Oxo- chlorate (NaOCL) solution were (15-64%), oxygen (O2 , 20-21%), Respiratory Quotient (RQ,-3to0.7), Temperature (T, 28-38°C) and Relative Humidity (RH, 41-51%) respectively. The water melon (HMAS) chamber had carbon dioxide (CO2 , 15-69%), oxygen (O2 , 20-21%), Respiratory Quotient (RQ, -3.3 to 0.7), Temperature (T, 32-40°c) and Relative Humidity (RH, 42-65%) for clean water. While sodium oxo-chlorate (NaOCL) solution has (CO2, 6-52%) carbondioxied (O2 , 20-21%) oxygen, (RQ, -2.4 to 0.3) Respiratory quotient, Temperature (T, 29-36°c) and Relative Humidity of (RH, 35-58%). Oxygen and carbon dioxide production rate which has direct influence on bio-material usage were relative and steadily enhanced, hence slowing down senescence and climactericson the cucumber and water melon that stayed for twenty four days. This approach minimized moisture loss, slow down respiration rate and inhibit the development of decay causing pathogens, at best temperature and relative humidity. The respiration rate, temperature, relative humidity, Respiratory Quotient (RQ) and storage durations results reveals that HMAS has the potential to benefit whole and fresh fruits and vegetables post-harvest shelf life. The applications of Hydroponic Modified Atmosphere Storage (HMAS) at simple technology could prolong shelf life of fresh fruits watermelon and cucumber vegetables. This could encourage commercial application of HMAS by fruit and vegetable retailers.
Citation
Orede VO, Ogori AF, Adekonyini OO and Ajayi FF. Effect of Hydroponic Modified Atmosphere Storage (HMAS) on Cucumber Vegetable and Water Melon Fruit. SM J Nutr Metab. 2018; 4(1): 1025.